Switch



Jan. 14, 1930.

E. VOLKMANN SWITCH Griginal Filed Nov. 24, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 14,1930. E. VOLKMANN SWITCH Original Filed Nov. 24. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2L, we! 5 9 9 J fi e/9.5. 57 45 I 69 /v H 4/ T 65 f v 55 EIH 73 55 13?)65 6f 37 23 1 5 Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC ERNSTVOLKMANN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO W, N. MATTHEWS COR-PORATION, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI swrrcnApplication filed .R'ov'embei' 24, 1928, Serial No. 150,436. RenewedSeptember 6, 1929.

This invention relates to electrical distribution apparatus andparticularly to fuse switches and their mountings in containing boxessuch as are used in high tension transmission lines.. The general typeof switch box involved is shown in prior Patents, No. 1,288,951 and No.1,398,335, issued to Claude L. Matthews and Walter A.-Heinrich, December 24, 1918, and November 29, 1921, m respectively.

The general type of fuse switch involved is shown in prior Patent No.1,514,210, isd sued to Walter A. Heinrich, November 4, 1924.

Among the several objects of my present invention may be noted theprovision of an improved combination of parts whereby the insulatingmounting system for the switch is reduced to a minimum number of simpleelements which can be made more ruggedly at less cost, thereby providingmore continuous and satisfactory operation; and the provision of aswitch of the class described which requires replacements of fewerauxiliary parts when replacements of certain insulator elements becomenecessary. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, which areexemplified in the description hereinafter in connection with theaccompanying drawings, and the scope of the application of which will beindicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated two of variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 .'s a vertical section taken from front to rear of the fuse box,showing certain parts in full;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1',-certainportions being broken away to show the construction more clearly;

the piece 15.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of certain supporting clamp members,enlarged; and

Fig. 7 is a" side elevation form of insulator.

: Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views of the rawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustratedat 1 the back of the switch box. Sides 3 are made fast to the back 1.The upper edges of the sides slope rearwardly and a rearwardly slopingwater-proof cover 5 is screwed to the top edges of the back sides. Thecover 5 overhangs the box at all points to form eaves. It comprises 9.preferably wooden piece 6. a partially open bottom portion 7 is formedin the box.

On the sides 3 beneath the eaves of the cover 5 are screwed forwardlyextending purchase pieces 9. These extend forwardly past and flush witha front door 11. The door 11 is suitably pivoted to the pieces 9 andswings in a vertical plane to open from the bottom, as indicated by thearrow in Fig. 1. A recess 13 formed on the interior of the door 11accommodates certain parts within the box (to be described).

The door 11 swings forwardly on the hinge pieces and at its lower end isprovided with an inwardly extending portion 15 of said bottom 7 (seeFig. 3). The portions 7 and 15 of the bottom cooperate when the door 11is closed to close the lower end of the box except at an open slot 19.This slot 19 permits the lower open end 21 of a fuse block 23 toprotrude from the box for purposes to be described. The slot is cutpartially in the piece 7 and partially in Fig. 6 being of an alternativenamely, to hold the clamps 25 in place on the back 1 and to holdtogether two halves 29 and 31 of said clamps, the said halves beingadapted to clamp over and support an insulator I. The insulator isspaced with regard to the wall 1.

The shape of the halves 29 is more fully illustrated in enlarged Fig. 6.If desired, tapped holes 33 ma be used to run studs in from the rear 0the wall 1, while the bolts 27 are shortened to perform only a clampingfunction. The former construction is illustrated in the drawings,however.

The insulator I preferably comprises a hollow length of porcelain, roundin cross section and provided with convolutions 35. The convolutionsdeter current leakage. At intervals between groups of convolutions 35,cylindrical portions 39 are provided for purposes of accommodating theapplication of the clamps 25, and other clamps or supporting members 41,to be described.

Said other clamps or supporting members 41 each comprise a rearwardsaddle 43 and a forward saddle 4C5 clamped together on alternateportions 39 of the insulator I by means of screws 47 suitably threadedto the saddles 13 and passing slidably through openings in the saddles45.

The type of forward saddle i5 is more particularly illustrated in Fig. 5wherein is shown a raised ortion 49 having a teat 51. The teat 51 is aapted to pass through suitable aligned holes formed through a terminalpiece 53 and a pair of cooperatin 0' spring terminal clips 55. The teatis riveted over to hold the terminal and clips to the clamp, therebyforming only two elements which need be clamped tothe insulator l foreach terminal assembly applied.

Each terminal piece 53 is provided withv apair of laterally anddownwardly extending wire sockets 57, the bores of which sub stantiallyalign with the holes 59 of insulators 61, said insulators passingthrough suitable sloping openings 63 in the box. The slopingconstruction prevents leakage of water into the box. The parts are soproportioned that wires 65 may be fed directly through said insulators61 to become 'socketed inthe sockets 57. The wires may be fastened bysuitable screws 67 or solder. Plates 69 having suitable openings thereinto permit passage of the insu ators are adapted also to prevent theinsulators 61 from. falling outwardly.

Opposite each opemng 63 is formed a similar opening. 71 closed by aplate 73;

These openings 71 may be used in conjunction with or alternatively tothe holes 63 for the purposes described, b substituting for the closininsulator assem lies 69, 61. i

From the above, it is evident that a single insulator supported. on aplurality of supports or brackets 29, supports a plurality of terminalclip assemblies. In the present construction, the fuse carrying member.or switch block 23, which is adapted to'coopcrate with the terminalspring clips 55 comprises two, preferably fibre, insulating tubes heldtogether b a lower band 77, and a central band an metallic terminalpiece 79. At theupper end of the longer of the two tubes, namely tube81, is provided another metallic terminal piece '83. The terminal pieces79 and 83 are adapted to receive in electrical connection therewith afuse wire 85. The ends of the wire are clamped to the insides of theterminal pieces 79 and 83 by means of set screws 87. Hence it is evidentthat the fuse wire may be removed from the tubes merely by loosening theset screws 87 and withdrawing it from the open lower ends of the tubes.The fuse terminals 79 and,83 of the fuse or switch 23 are adapted toresiliently cooperate with the terminal spring clips 55.

In order to facilitate placement of the fuse block 23, a socket piece 89is pivoted plates 73, t e plate-andto the forward member 31 of .thelower clips 55. The band 77 serves to position the block vertically. Theband 77 is adapted to so position itself under a spur 93 associated withthe clamps 25, that the reaction of a blowing fuse will not drive thefuse block or switch out of the terminals 55.

By swinging the fuse carrying block or member 7 5 with the socket 89vertically, the terminal pieces 79 and 83 of the member 23 are throwninto contact with the clips 55 and hence'electrical connection is madebetween the respective clips on the insulator; These clips are. the lineterminals, as described, and are now connected by means of the fuse wire85. When it is desired to remove the block 23, a hooked insulated toolmay be applied to a brid e piece 95 associated. with the terminal block83 and the block 75 may be swung down, that is, after the door 11 hasbeen opened. Thereafter it ma bepulled forwardly out of the socket 89. erecess 13 in the door '11 is for the purpose of clearing the brid epiece 95.

In Fig. 7.is shown a mo ed form of anaeea insulator in which theconvolutions have adifierent formation, although the cylindricalportions 39 are retained. It is to be understood that the insulator neednot be hollow and that it may be formed with a smooth surface, anon-cylindrical surface, a polygonal surface or other type notspecifically stated herein.

Some of the advantages in this device arise from the fact that only twosimple fastenings 25 support a single insulator l, which insulatorsupports two connectors or terminals 41. All the connections between theinsulator and the fastenings therewith are removable and are notpermanent molded connections. Hence, if an insulator breaks, no partsconnected therewith need be thrown away because molded therewith, as allparts are removable therefrom and may be used with a new insulator. Thecushioning effect of the spring clips on the terminal blocks 79, 83prevents much insulator breakage.

From the above itwill be seen that the several objects of the inventionare attained and other advanta eous results achieved.

As many modi cations of the embodiments above illustrated might be madewithoutdeparting from the spirit or-scope of the.

present invention, it is intended that the above description andaccompanying drawings and claims shall be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A switch 1 comprising a longitudinal box, supporting clamps adaptedto be held to one wall of said box and to be clamped to a longitudinalinsulator by means of a single set of bolts, a plurality of supportingmembers'on said insulator, each adapted to support a terminal and aswitch rotatably supported on the lowermost one of said supportingclamps adapted to be moved to com nect said terminals. 2. A switchcomprising a longitudinal box, supporting clamps adapted to be held toone wall of said box and to be clamped to a longitudinal insulator, aplurality of supporting members on said' insulator, each adapted tosupport a terminal and a switch rotatably supported on the lowermost oneof said supporting clamps adapted to be moved to connect said terminals.

A switch comprising a longitudinal box, supporting clamps adapted to beheld to one wall of said box and to be clamped to a longitudinalinsulator, a plurality of sup porting members on said insulator, eachadapted to -support a terminal and a switch rotatably supported on thelowermost one of said supporting clamps adapted to be moved to connectsaid terminals, a bottom in said box below said members having anopening therein adapted to permit projection of one portion of theswitch. I

4. A switch comprising a longitudinal box, supporting clamps adapted tobe held to one wall of said box and to be clamped to a longitudinalinsulator, a plurality of sup I porting members on said insulator, eachadapted to support a terminal and a switch rotatably supported on thelowermost one] of said supporting clamps adapted to be moved to connectsaid terminals, a bottom in said box below said members having anopening therein adapted to permit projection of one portion of theswitch and a door on said box opposite the wall supporting insulatorhaving a portion extending therefrom forming a part of said openin 5. Aswitch comprising a longitudinal box, supporting clamps adapted to beheld to one wall of said box and to be clamped to a longitudinalinsulator, a plurality of supporting members on said insulator, eachadapted to support a terminal, a switch rotatably supported on thelowermost one oi said supporting clamps adapted to be moved to connectsaid terminals, the sides of said box having insulated openings, andsockets in electrical connection with said terminals and adapted todirectly receive wires passing through said insulated openings.

6. A switch comprising a single insulator, a plurality of supports forthe insulator engaging said jnsulator at spaced regions, supportingmembers onsaid insulator engaging it at other spaced regions and meansfor pivoting a fuse block directly to one of the first-named supports toengage said second named members. I

7. A switchcomprising an insulator, a plurality of supports for theinsulator, a plurality of supporting members thereon, and means forpivoting a fuse block directly to one of the first-named supports toengage with said plurality of members.

8. A switch comprising an insulator,.two terminal supports thereon,terminals connected with the terminal supports, at least one insulatorsupport located with respect to the length of the insulator between thesaid terminal supports and a switch block adapted to engage with thesaid terminals.

9. A switch comprising a single tubular insulator, terminal supportsthereon, terminals on the terminal supports, at least one insulatorsupport located with respect to the length of the insulator between twoof said terminal supports and a fuse block pivoted so as to engage withthe said terminals.

10. A switch comprising at least one insulator, a plurality of terminalsupports thereon, terminals on the terminal supports, at least oneinsulator support located with respect to the length of the insulatorbetween two of said terminal supports and a fuse block engaging the saidterminals.

' amaeea 11. A switch comprising at least one insulator, a plurality ofterminal supports thereon, terminals on the terminal supports, at leastone insulator su port located with respect to the length of theinsulator between two of said terminal supports and a fuse blockengaging the said terminals, said. insulator support being metallic Intestimony whereof, I have signed my 30 name to this specification this18th day of November, 1926.

' ERNST VOLM/IANN.

